So, for a while now you've had a bookshelf that's been collecting dust and casing books you never even read.

You've seen all these beautiful photos on Pinterest of perfectly styled shelves, but you've got no idea how to make your shelf look that good!

People often have trouble styling their bookshelf because they don't know where to start. They might not know how to choose a colour scheme, or what decor to use.

If you've ever felt discouraged with your bookshelf because it never looks as good as the ones on Instagram, don't worry! This guide is for you.

We're going to teach you how to style a bookshelf in five simple steps that anyone can do, on any budget.

All you need is some creativity and effort, so let's get started!

1. Choose a colour scheme

One of the most important things to consider when styling your bookshelf is choosing a colour scheme. This will help to create a cohesive look and make your shelf more inviting.

You can either choose a few colours and stick to them or pick one and use different shades throughout your shelf in the decor pieces.

So how do you go about choosing a colour theme? Here's a few ideas:

Based on Your Favourite Colours

Choosing your favourite colours is a great option if you want your bookshelf to represent your personal style.

Think about colours that you love and feel drawn to. These might be colours that make you feel happy and calm or ones that are constantly appearing in your home. Once you have a selection in mind, start looking for items in those shades.

This is also a great method if you want your shelf to match the rest of your room.

For example, if your walls are green, you could choose to use green and white as your colour scheme. Then look for items like vases, dried foliage, books or candles that have pops of green and white.

Based on the Room's Theme

If you want your bookshelf to fit in with the rest of your room, you can choose a colour scheme based on your room's theme.

For example, if your living room has a coastal theme, you could use blue, beige and white.

You could also use this method if you want your bookshelf to have a specific theme.

For example, if you want your shelf to have a vintage feel, you could use brown, tan, and cream.

Neutral Colour Scheme

If you're not sure what colours you want to use or you're worried about your shelf looking too busy, you can always choose a neutral palette. This is a great option if you want your bookshelf to have a more timeless look.

Our favourite neutral colours include beige, white, black and grey. You can use one of these colours as your base and then add in pops of the remaining with items like coffee table books and ribbed candles.

Based on Seasonal Trends

If you want your bookshelf to be on trend, you can always choose a colour scheme based on seasonal trends.

For example, right now some popular colours are blush pink, lavender, and sage.

So if you want your bookshelf to be on trend, you could use one of those colours as your base and then find items that match.

2. Add stylish items like candles, flowers, and plants to make your bookshelf feel more inviting

One of the easiest ways to make your bookshelf look more inviting is to add decorative items like candles, flowers, and plants.

Not only do these items add colour and texture, but they also make your shelf smell and feel nice and inviting.

How to Choose Decorative Items

When choosing decorative items for your bookshelf, it's important to consider the colours you're using.

If you want your shelf to look cohesive, try to find items that match the colours in your colour scheme.

For example, if you're using a neutral colour scheme, you could add a white candle and a grey plant.

If you want your shelf to have a more vintage feel, you could add a tan candle and a brown plant.

You can also choose decorative items by considering the season.

For example, during the fall you could add a pumpkin candle and some leaves.

And during the winter you could add an evergreen candle and a snowflake garland.

Finally, you can also choose decorative items by considering the theme of your room.

For example, if your room is styled with a beachy theme, you could add a clam shaped candle and coral resin.

3. Organise everything for easy access

When it comes to decorating your bookshelf, one of the most important things to keep in mind is organisation.

If everything is organised by size and colour, it will be easy for you to find what you're looking for and it will also look neat and tidy.

How to Arrange Decorative Items

Once you've chosen your decorative items, it's time to start arranging them on your bookshelf.

If you want your shelf to look tidier, you can group items by colour or type.

For example, you could put all of your candles in one group and all of your plants in another.

If you want your shelf to look more eclectic, you can mix and match items.

For example, you could put a candle next to a plant, or a flower next to a book.

It's also important to consider the size of your items when arranging them on your shelf.

You don't want your shelf to look too cluttered, so make sure to space out your items accordingly.

Tips for Arranging Flowers

If you're going to be arranging flowers on your bookshelf, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

- Use odd numbers of flowers for the best effect.

- Choose a mix of different sizes, shapes, and colours.

- Try to find flowers that complement the colours in your colour scheme.

- Arrange the flowers in a glass vase or mason

We also highly recommend checking out our dried flower arrangements, which are super on trend right now and look fantastic on a bookcase.

Tips for Arranging Candles

If you're going to be arranging candles on your bookshelf, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

- Choose candles that complement the colours in your colour scheme.

- Stick to odd numbers when grouping candles together.

- Vary the heights of your candles to add interest.

- Arrange the candles in a way that makes them easy to light.

For example, you could put all of the taller candles in the back and the shorter candles in the front.

Tips for Arranging Plants

If you're going to be arranging plants on your bookshelf, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

- Choose plants that complement the colours in your colour scheme.

- Stick to odd numbers when grouping plants together.

- Choose a mix of different sizes, shapes, and colours.

- Make sure the plants have enough room to breathe.

- Arrange the plants in a way that makes them easy to water.

For example, you could put all of the smaller plants in the front and the larger plants in the back.

4. Stand Back and Edit

When you're arranging your decorative items, it's important to take a step back and look at the shelf as a whole.

Are all of the items evenly spaced out?

Are there any items that are competing for attention?

Are there any items that don't belong?

Once you've answered these questions, you can make any necessary adjustments.

For example, if you have a plant that's competing for attention, you could move it to another spot or try grouping it with other plants.

Or if you have an item that doesn't belong, you could try moving it to another shelf or getting rid of it altogether.

5. Have fun with it and don’t be afraid to switch things up often!

One of the best things about decorating your bookshelf is that you can experiment with different arrangements until you find one that you like.

So don't be afraid to try different things and switch things up often.

This way, you'll always have a fresh and new look.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to style your bookshelf, it's time to get started!

Follow the tips in this article and you'll be well on your way to creating a beautiful and inviting space.

Happy styling!